UN official vows support for Vietnam’s climate change response efforts

HCM City (VNA) - UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson pledged to do his utmost to encourage more support for Vietnam to deal with difficulties related to climate change, at his meeting with domestic and foreign press on the outcomes of his four-day working visit to Vietnam on May 6 in Ho Chi Minh City.

He told reporters that he had made a fact-finding trip to the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre to find out about the impacts of ongoing drought and seawater intrusion.

He expressed his sympathy with locals as they are facing a lot of difficulties in daily activities and production.

The UN will mention the challenges facing Vietnamese people during its summit on humanity and climate change next month, he stated, adding that the organisation will continue close coordination with Vietnam in response to the phenomenon.

Regarding the lack of fresh water in the Mekong Delta, the UN Deputy Secretary General suggested countries cooperate closely in using the water resources of the Mekong River.

Each nation has different purposes for using Mekong River water such as for agricultural production and irrigation, so they need to seek appropriate cooperation measures to ensure their interests and manage the resource effectively.

According to the Deputy Secretary General, lacking fresh water is a big challenge facing the world. The UN established a working group and has provided aid for countries which are having water difficulties.

In Vietnam, UN officials have worked with Vietnamese agencies and scientists in seeking measures to deal with drought, saltwater intrusion, sea levels rising, and the lack of fresh water, he told reporters.-VNA